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Administrative Rules

Administrative rules, also commonly referred to as regulations or administrative code, are created by state agencies to implement federal and state legislation and/or directive and have the effect of law, see 75 O.S. §§ 250 - 308.3. The Board of Juvenile Affairs is the rule-making authority for the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA), see 10A O.S. § 2-7-101. Before becoming effective, rules are subject to a comprehensive rule-making process that includes review and approval by the Oklahoma Legislature.

Native American

In 2015, OJA worked with Representative Seneca Scott and Senator A.J. Griffith, through the Native American Juvenile Justice Task Force, to create state law requiring notification of to Native Nations when citizen youth come into contact with the system. As a part of the intake process, an employee of the OJA or a county juvenile bureau shall inquire as to whether there is any American Indian lineage or ancestry that would make the child eligible for membership or citizenship in a federally recognized American Indian tribe or nation. If the employee of OJA or a county juvenile bureau determines that the child may have American Indian lineage or ancestry, the employee shall notify the primary tribe or nation of membership or citizenship.

Please visit the  Public Administrative Rule website.

Native American Resources

In 2015 the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) worked with State Legislators Representative Seneca Scott and Senator A.J. Griffith, through the Native American Juvenile Justice Task Force, to pass into state law requiring notification of Native Nations when citizen youth come into contact with the system.  As a part of the intake process, an employee of the OJA or a county juvenile bureau shall inquire as to whether there is any American Indian lineage or ancestry that would make the child eligible for membership or citizenship in a federally recognized American Indian tribe or nation.  If the employee of OJA or a county juvenile bureau determines that the child may have American Indian lineage or ancestry, the employee shall notify the primary tribe or nation of membership or citizenship. 

Native American juveniles represent over 16% of the juveniles in OJA custody.  Our hope is that by building these bridges, we can:

  • Work cooperatively with the Tribes to prevent juvenile tribal members from entering the Juvenile Justice System;
  • Assist the Tribes with options for repeat offenders;
  • To assist the Tribes, if needed, ways to build community programs that make the juveniles accountable for their actions to their Tribal leaders;
  • To assist the Tribes with additional resources  they can turn to when help is needed in either building prevention programs, or just calling for information when trying to locate placement assistance for juveniles.

Oklahoma Native Nations Directory

US National Native Directory

Secretary of Native American Affairs Annual Report

Behavioral Health Directory at ODMHSAS

Oklahoma Tribal Leaders Directory

Tribal Jurisdiction Map

ODMHSAS Tribal State Relations

For more information regarding Oklahoma Native American resource services contact:

Janelle Bretten, M.P.A.
Director of Strategic Planning and Engagement
Office of Juvenile Affairs
3812 N. Santa Fe, Suite 400
Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Email: Janelle.Bretten@oja.ok.gov

Office: (405) 530-2867 / Cell: (405) 642-3021

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Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs

3812 N Santa Fe Ave

Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Throughout the state of Oklahoma, the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) provides with its community partners; prevention, educational and treatment services, as well as secure facilities for juveniles in order to promote public safety and reduce juvenile delinquency.